Karl Fritzsche
Outdoor Industry Professional; product strategy and development specialist
Bainbridge Island | US
Interests
No information
Industries
Bike
Outdoor
Snow
Summary
Activity
Work experience
Helinox
Global Product Manager | 06/2023 - Current
-Hired to create a PLM process that would drive global collaboration and accountability in order to launch seasonal new products.
-Accomplished development and commercialization of a new Helinox category (6 SKU’s) year one by adding incremental revenue in addition to redesigning and delivering two new chairs.
-Constant contact and oversight over the design team in Korea and the development and sourcing teams in Vietnam. Direct reports in each location.
-Responsible for global product line strategy, meeting margin requirements and setting competitive retail pricing.
Karl Fritzsche
Consultant | 02/2011 - 06/2023
-Expertise in strategic planning, component sourcing, factory sourcing, product development, design management, material selection and general project management.
-Clients including KURU Footwear (Strategy), Flatiron Venture Group (Strategy), Herbst Produkt (Material Sourcing and Factory introductions, personal electronics cases), Kraus Motor Company (Soft Goods Product Design management and development), VICIS Inc. (Football Soft Goods development and sourcing), Conway Goods (Home Goods factory operations), RPM Fitness (CrossFit Soft Goods material and factory sourcing and development (USA)), Wild Unlimited (Strategy and Material Sourcing)
Boosted Commerce
Product Development Manager (Merchandising) | 08/2021 - 01/2023
-I lead new product innovation and general merchandising across electronics, supplements, personal wellness product, home goods and children products. Launching 40+ SKU's per quarter.
-Focusing on Product Strategy, Project Management, Sourcing, Costing, Product Development, P&L ownership, Forecasting and Packaging development. Globally and domestic.
-Utilizing Helium10, Jungle Scout, Tableau, etc. for product and category insight
Yondr
Vice President of Product | 05/2020 - 04/2021
-Managed Design, Product Development and Sourcing efforts.
-I opened a Design Study for Yonder in Seattle where we (my designer) created prototypes by utilizing 3D printing and sewing.
-Added two new factories in Asia and one in the US. Successfully launching 5 new products in under a year.
-Worked closely with Sales and Operations to understand the customer needs and help maintain acceptable inventory requirements during a challenging time.
Cascade Designs
Category Manager - Platypus, SealLine and PackTowl | 06/2018 - 07/2019
-Responsible for YOY brand growth and market share success across multiple product categories.
-Product Strategy and P&L ownership.
-Lead various cross functional teams to market success.
Cascade Designs
Brand Director - Platypus, SealLine & PackTowl | 05/2016 - 06/2018
-P&L responsibility for three brands. SealLine, Platypus Hydration and PackTowl. Managing a team of 10 employees (Category Managers, Marketing and Industrial Design). Manage multiple department budgets.
-Create and execute Strategic Plans for all three brands. Product life-cycle management. Responsible for global pricing and forecasting.
-Closely work with Sales on OEM projects, Collaborations and Closeout opportunities.
-Constant contact with our factories. Monitoring production and working on efficiencies and trouble shooting. (Cascade Designs manufactures approximately 80% of their own product in Seattle and Reno)
YETI Coolers
Project Engineer | 04/2015 - 04/2016
-Focused on the development of the Hopper Soft Coolers.
-In addition to working with the main factory in China and the in-house designers, I spent a lot of my time working with various raw material vendors on increasing their own capacity to keep up with the YETI demand. Most specifically YKK's AquaSeal Zipper.
-As the Soft Cooler program was growing I introduced the YETI Sourcing Team to two new finished good factories that ultimately helped with production capacity.
-YETI Soft Coolers are constructed by RF Welded construction.
Vista Outdoor Inc.
Sr. Project / Product Development Manager - Soft Goods | 04/2011 - 04/2015
-Managed the Product Development process of Blackburn (Specialty Bike Bags) and Giro (Specialty Cycling Summer and Winter Gloves, Backpacks, Caps, Shoe Covers, Socks and Warmers).
-Identified factories and Developed commercially viable cycling accessories in partnership with Product Management and Design.
-Prior to the sale of Easton I also managed the development of the Easton Baseball batting gloves and bags (and hockey bags) for both Mass and Specialty markets.
Vista Outdoor Inc.
Sr. Product Marketing Manager | 05/2007 - 04/2011
-Managed and Developed both Bell and Blackburn bicycle accessories for multiple global channels. Categories including: tubes, tires, tools and repair, bags and bike racks.
Confluence Outdoor
Product Manager (relocated to South Carolina, brands acquired by Confluence) | 06/2004 - 04/2007
-Multiple accessory brand consolidation (contribution margin, gross revenue and inventory rationalization), vendor selection, packaging development, new product sourcing and development. Forecasting, catalog layout and dealer support.
-Competitive research and constant Sales Rep interaction.
Yakima Products
Assistant Product Manager (kayak accessories - Harmony and SOSpenders) | 01/2002 - 01/2004
-Managed SOSpenders inflatable life jackets and Harmony kayak and canoe accessories.
Yakima Products
Account Executive | 01/2001 - 01/2002
-Development and execution of mechanical and logistical priorities for specified accounts.
-New business expansion and success. Responsible for incremental sales growth.
-Forecasting, Pricing, Sales Strategies and Vendor Compliance for specific customers.
-Close working relationships with outside sales force. Extensive travel support.
Marmot
Dealer Service/International Sales Coordinator | 11/1998 - 10/2001
Education history
Cal Poly Humboldt
Interdisciplinary Studies
AFS Intercultural Programs USA
Student
